Vol. 540 No. 1
280 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are women waiting for over two months for results of smear tests taken in a clinic (details supplied); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the clinic is advising women that they are unable to process these tests any sooner due to cutbacks; the action he will take on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19968/01]
The clinic in question is a private institution and therefore issues concerning its operation do not come within the remit of my Department.
However, the Deputy may be interested to note that phase one of the national cervical screening programme commenced in the Mid-Western Health Board in October 2000. Under phase one, in the region of 67,000 women in the 25-60 age group will be screened free of charge at minimum intervals of five years.
The question of the extension of the programme to the rest of the country is currently under consideration. This will be a major undertaking with logistical and significant resource implications which requires careful planning and organisation. In this regard, my Department, in conjunction with the expert advisory group on cervical screening and the chief executive officers of the health boards, is currently giving consideration to the matter of an appropriate structure to manage the national programme.
